1
as in clumsy
difficult to use or operate especially because of size, weight, or design
getting the ungainly couch up the stairs was a real chore
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in awkward
having or showing an inability to move in a graceful manner
the tree cutter was crushing any unlucky petunias that lay in the path of his ungainly tread
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of ungainly
The hagiography of the Arena brand doesn’t always fit in with the rest of ESPN’s programming, which is an ungainly mix of live sports, commercials for sports gambling and news reports on the damaging impact of sports gambling on live sports.
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Daniel Fienberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 23 July 2024
In 2022, the Albany Dems bypassed the IRC and drew an ugly ungainly district running around the shores of the Long Island Sound from Suffolk across Nassau, Queens, the Bronx and Westchester all the way to the Connecticut border, an unconstitutional gerrymander.
—New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 15 Feb. 2024
This is an ungainly and unpalatable status quo, especially given the litany of war crimes perpetrated by Assad’s regime, but the further consolidation of power under Assad would still be worse for the people living in Syria’s northwest.
—Jeremy Konyndyk, Foreign Affairs, 21 Mar. 2023
Recall that the current name of our baseball stadium was an ungainly compromise between then-owner Eli Jacobs and Gov. William Donald Schaefer.
—Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 13 Apr. 2024
See all Example Sentences for ungainly 
Daniel Fienberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 23 July 2024
In 2022, the Albany Dems bypassed the IRC and drew an ugly ungainly district running around the shores of the Long Island Sound from Suffolk across Nassau, Queens, the Bronx and Westchester all the way to the Connecticut border, an unconstitutional gerrymander.
—New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 15 Feb. 2024
This is an ungainly and unpalatable status quo, especially given the litany of war crimes perpetrated by Assad’s regime, but the further consolidation of power under Assad would still be worse for the people living in Syria’s northwest.
—Jeremy Konyndyk, Foreign Affairs, 21 Mar. 2023
Recall that the current name of our baseball stadium was an ungainly compromise between then-owner Eli Jacobs and Gov. William Donald Schaefer.
—Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 13 Apr. 2024
See all Example Sentences for ungainly
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ungainly
Adjective
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In a moment when Liston was hurling a clumsy punch and his balance was susceptible, Ali threw what looked like a swiping right graze at his opponent’s head.Mikal Gilmore, Rolling Stone, 17 Jan. 2025
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Even observers who think the outlook for China’s economy is less dire agree that its growth is slowing and will be constrained by structural challenges and a clumsy policymaking process.Jude Blanchette, Foreign Affairs, 7 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Though the two might have an awkward run-in in the Love Island All-Stars Villa.Lea Veloso, StyleCaster, 13 Jan. 2025
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Ribas’ hands and movement were much crisper than that of Dern, whose movement was awkward and punches were slower and wilder than those of her foe.Trent Reinsmith, Forbes, 12 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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As organizations strive to offer comprehensive solutions, the temptation to continuously add features can lead to unwieldy, complex products that ultimately dilute value for users.Ayesha Mahmood, Forbes, 9 Jan. 2025
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At first, playing Tetris with your keyboard fingers while managing Minesweeper with your mouse hand can feel a little unwieldy—a bit like trying to drive a car and cook an omelet at the same time.Ars Technica, Ars Technica, 27 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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Carmello, a three-time Tony nominee, delivers an exquisite performance, equal parts gawky and wise, a tender-hearted girl feeling every slight but also always slightly above the fray.Karen D'Souza, The Mercury News, 8 Nov. 2024
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Here, Finnigan is gawky and eager in a T-shirt and jeans, with a few helpful props on hand, determined to tick all the boxes just so.Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 10 Oct. 2024
Adjective
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Simply moving around as a Viking warrior is cumbersome, although its combat presents a brutality the series was missing in recent entries.John Mac Ghlionn, Newsweek, 13 Jan. 2025
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These bring a bass-heavy sound and the convenience of wireless audio with up to 9 hours of battery life, 15 hours more in the charging case, and a sleek design that's not too cumbersome.Shubham Yewale, PCMAG, 13 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Her absence, combined with an unsteady early performance and the unprecedented attack from her fire chief, have only intensified her vulnerabilities.Julia Wick, Los Angeles Times, 13 Jan. 2025
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Retailers have been forced to work harder to win customer dollars, and demand has been unsteady as consumers think twice before buying things that may be wants rather than needs.Gabrielle Fonrouge, CNBC, 19 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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While some steps have been taken to confront the challenge — such as loans, grants and tax credits extended to domestic mining and minerals processing projects — our efforts remain woefully uncoordinated and constitute a fraction of what’s needed.John Adams, Boston Herald, 28 Sep. 2024
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Internal silos hinder customer experience because uncoordinated teams cannot provide a holistic and simple process to customers.Max Soloshchanskiy, Forbes, 20 Nov. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near ungainly
Cite this Entry
“Ungainly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ungainly. Accessed 21 Jan. 2025.
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